Nixon releases capital improvements money

Gov. Jay Nixon today released $132.5 million that he had withheld last summer from the two-year capital improvements bill lawmakers passed last May.

The released money includes $28.5 million for repairs and improvements to the Capitol and the Capitol Complex, and $38 million which lawmakers last year said would build a new office building on the old Missouri State Penitentiary grounds, but a news release said was intended to improve the efficient use of state buildings.

The news release noted Nixon directed the Office of Administration to use the resources to continue to consolidate and improve the efficiency of state facilities.

In that news release, OA Commissioner Doug Nelson said: "My office will develop plans to use these resources to maintain state facilities and continue our progress in making state government more efficient and effective.”